BOSS Matt Newby expects Leicester Riders to be "gunning" for his Worcester Wolves side on Friday night (7.30pm).
The teams meet in the BBL Championship at Morningside Arena just two weeks after Wolves dumped Riders out of the BBL Cup in the semi-finals with an 83-71 away win.
Worcester booked their final place against Bristol Flyers at Arena Birmingham a week on Sunday as a result.
Now last season's play-off winners Leicester look for revenge and to end Wolves' three-game winning run in the league.
The hosts have only played three championship games so far and lost two of those while Newby's men are up to fourth spot with four victories from six fixtures.
Newby said: “I think they will be gunning for us.
"It was a massive achievement to win on their court, whether it’s a pre-season friendly, semi-final or a championship game.
“The significance of a win against a Leicester or a Newcastle means that we should be in the hunt for a top-four place.
“But it’s not going to be easy. Coach Rob (Paternostro) will have definitely gone back to the drawing board and be preparing the guys diligently.
“Leicester are a perennial contender and there’s a reason for that.
"They are diligent, prepare well and have a good roster. I believe they’ve added depth to that as well.”
Wolves forward Daniel Johnson-Thompson is suspended after being ejected from last Friday's 79-65 win over Cheshire Phoenix at the University of Worcester Arena.
It was his first disciplinary offence of the season and the 10 automatic disciplinary points received resulted in the one-game ban.
Wolves' Cortez Edwards was named in the All-Star Five for week 17 with Mark Hughes off the bench.
Edwards joined two others at the top of the overall appearances chart in the five this season, making his fifth.
He secured a triple-double against Cheshire with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
The guard recorded five assists in a dominant first quarter as Wolves enjoyed revenge for being knocked out of the BBL Trophy by Phoenix the previous week.
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